IFI ZEN DAC 3

The iFi ZEN DAC 3 is a compact and versatile DAC (digital-to-analog converter) designed to elevate your listening experience. With support for sampling rates up to 768kHz, this device allows you to enjoy crystal-clear and detailed audio quality, as if you were in a recording studio.

iFi Zen Dac 3 – Discover Every Detail of Music

The iFi ZEN DAC 3 represents a major step forward in the world of high-quality digital audio. This versatile device is designed to unlock the full potential of high-resolution music available on modern streaming platforms, supporting a wide range of audio formats, including PCM up to 768kHz, DSD512 and MQA.

With a built-in headphone amplifier and the ability to function as both a DAC and DAC/Pre, this versatile device is ideal for any desktop. It easily connects to headphones, preamps, integrated amplifiers or active speakers, providing a complete audio solution for your home or office.

The iFi ZEN DAC 3’s output power is impressive, with a maximum of 390mW, exceeding the power of typical laptops by 5-10 times. This power is enough to drive premium headphones with significantly superior performance, delivering an exceptional listening experience.

The award-winning ZEN DAC series is renowned for its excellence and has received numerous awards, including Best DAC under £200 from WHAT Hi-Fi? for four years running. The iFi ZEN DAC 3 continues this legendary tradition, doubling the support for high-resolution audio up to 768kHz, DSD512 and MQA decoding capability.

USB-C connectivity simplifies cable management and offers surge protection, protecting your device from potential damage. Additionally, a significant reduction in DC offset minimizes audio clicks when adjusting settings. These improvements take the ZEN DAC 3 to new levels of audio excellence.

Global Master Timing – Swiss Precision

Sound quality is at the heart of the ZEN DAC 3’s design. An improved low-jitter GMT (Global Master Timing) clock delivers over 20dB of performance improvement, while enhanced circuitry, including improved DC offset, ensures greater signal purity and accuracy. At the heart of the device is a 16-core low-latency XMOS microcontroller, enabling full DSD512 and MQA decoding.

The technical specifications of the ZEN DAC 3 are impressive. With a frequency response of 5Hz to 90kHz (±3dB), a maximum output power exceeding 300mW into 32Ω for the 4.4mm balanced output, and a signal-to-noise ratio of ≥109dB, this device offers top-notch audio performance.

Compact in size (158 x 115 x 35 mm) and weighing just 456 g, the ZEN DAC 3 fits easily into any audio setup, offering a complete solution for the most demanding audiophiles and anyone who wants to elevate their listening experience to new levels of quality and performance.

Power Up Your Headphones

The iFi ZEN DAC 3 stands out for its versatility, combining the functions of a high-quality DAC with those of a high-performance headphone amplifier. Equipped with 4.4mm balanced and 6.3mm unbalanced outputs, it offers an output power of 390mW, ensuring optimal compatibility with a wide range of headphones.

XBass+ technology represents a breakthrough in analog audio signal processing. This switchable feature allows you to emphasize low frequencies without introducing distortion or altering the naturalness of the sound. It is particularly suitable for use with in-ear headphones or open headphones that may have a less extended frequency response in the bass region.

To accommodate the needs of headphones with different sensitivity, the ZEN DAC 3’s amplifier stage features a PowerMatch function, which allows you to adjust the gain to optimize the output level. Additionally, for those who want an extra boost of power, you can connect the ZEN DAC 3 to the ZEN CAN headphone amplifier, creating a high-performance audio system.

iFi Zen Dac 3 – Power up your speakers and amplifier

A key feature of the iFi ZEN DAC 3 is its output mode switch, which allows you to choose between Variable and Fixed. In Variable mode, ideal for connecting directly to active speakers, the user can adjust the volume using the knob built into the device. This configuration is particularly useful when using 4.4mm to XLR or RCA cables for the connection.

On the other hand, Fixed mode is optimized for connection to receivers or main amplifiers, where volume control is handled by the downstream device.

iFi Zen Dac 3 – Powered by USB-C

The iFi ZEN DAC 3 is powered via USB-C, simplifying cable management. However, for audiophiles looking to upgrade their system, the 5V power input offers an upgrade path.

When an external power supply is connected, the USB-C port only transmits data, ensuring a purer signal.

The iFi iPower2 is an ultra-quiet, ultra-clean audiophile power supply featuring Active Noise Cancellation II technology to eliminate all incoming EMI and RFI noise. No more worrying about noise and graininess.

It is more than 10 times quieter than most audiophile power supplies.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Input: USB Type-C

Console Compatibility: SONY PS5 and Nintendo Switch

Supported formats:

PCM (768/705.6/384/352.8/192/176.4/96/88.2/48/44.1kHz)

DSD (512/256/128/64)

DXD (768/705.6/384/352.8kHz)

MQA (Decoder)

DAC: Bit-Perfect DSD & DXD DAC by Burr Brown

General Features:

Frequency Response: 5Hz – 90kHz (±3dB)

Power Requirement: USB-C or DC 5V/0.5A (center positive)

Power Consumption: Without Signal ~0.5W; Max Signal ~2.5W

Dimensions: 158 x 115 x 35mm

Net weight: 456g

Line Output Section:

4.4mm Balanced Output Power: 2V / 6.2V max. (variable); 4.2V fixed

Single-Ended RCA Output Power: 1V / 3.3V max. (variable); 2.1V fixed

Output Impedance: Balanced 4.4mm ≤200Ω; Single-Ended RCA ≤100Ω

SNR: ≥ 113dBA @ 0dBFS

DNR: ≥ 113dBA @ 0dBFS

THD+N: Balanced 4.4mm <0.0015% @ 0dBFS; Single-Ended RCA <0.003% @ 0dBFS

Headphone Output Section:

Max Output Power: Balanced 4.4mm: >70mW @ 600Ω; >300mW @ 32Ω Single-Ended 6.35mm: >18mW @ 600Ω; >210mW @ 32Ω

RMS Output Power: Balanced 4.4mm: >390mW @ 64Ω Single-Ended 6.35mm: >210mW @ 32Ω

Output Impedance: ≤1Ω

SNR: ≥ 109dBA @ 0dBFS (6.2V 4.4mm / 3.3V 6.35mm)

DNR: ≥ 109dBA @ 0dBFS (6.2V 4.4mm / 3.3V 6.35mm)

THD+N: Balanced 4.4mm <0.005% (2V @ 600 Ω) Single-Ended 6.35mm <0.013% (1.27V @ 32Ω)